Forest Lakes shooting for November opening

Forest Lakes Golf Club is about to begin its long-awaited reconstruction. COURTESY PHOTO/MARK CARDON

SARASOTA

The trucks are on site, the aqua island green has been delivered and the work crews are moving as scheduled at Forest Lakes Golf Club off Beneva Road in Sarasota.

“We are still shooting for a November opening,” said owner Neil Neilinger. If all goes as planned, the new par 63 Forest Lakes will be a welcome addition to the Sarasota golf community that has seen numerous courses (Foxfire, Sarasota Golf Club, Oak Ford and Sunrise) close in the past decade. The old Forest Lakes closed in 2007.

Neilinger said Forest Lakes more than likely will have annual memberships along with daily fees. At the opening, he plans to have a temporary clubhouse in place. He is in negotiations to have a Sam Snead’s Restaurant in the permanent clubhouse.

Gordy Lewis, who designed Sarasota National in Venice, is the course architect.

Neilinger plans to have five island greens on the 20-station driving range. Each weigh over 3,000 pounds. An identical one was on display at last weekend’s Daytona 500 and is currently on site at Forest Lakes.

Mark Cardon

Mark Cardon is a longtime sports editor and writer. He can be reached via e-mail at fcardon@aol.com

Last modified: February 27, 2015
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